L.A. Marathon Cardiac Arrest Survivor Reunites With Rescuers and Hospital Staff
personnel and members of the staff were reunited Thursday with the runner who suffered a cardiac arrest during the March 15, 2015, race. Chuck Gold, 61, had the opportunity to meet and personally thank the firefighters, paramedics and doctors who cared for him after he collapsed during the run.
鈥淓very day, the 名媛直播 responds to hundreds of emergencies but rarely do we get the opportunity to spend time with those we meet while we鈥檙e on the job,鈥 said. 鈥淥ur crew reacted in seconds and helped turn tragedy into joy, proving once again that that early cardiac defibrillation saves lives. I am thrilled to be able to shake Chuck鈥檚 hand today and look forward to seeing him out on the course again next year. 鈥
Chuck Gold expressed his gratitude for the care of the firefighters, paramedics, and doctors who saved him saying, 鈥淚t came to my attention that this type of event is rarely survived and their quick work is the reason that I was able to recover. I鈥檝e been back to my running, albeit a little more slowly, a little more cautiously, but thanks to the great care I got at the scene, I鈥檓 looking forward to meeting and shaking the hands of the people who were responsible for my recovery.鈥
鈥淚f Mr. Gold had had this event happen in bed, the outcome would have been much different,鈥 said , associate clinical professor and emergency room physician at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. 鈥淗e happens to be, I think, the luckiest man in Los Angeles this morning.鈥 Dr. Morroco continued, 鈥淭he automatic external defibrillator鈥s so important because they [the firefighters] were able to defibrillate and shock his heart back into a normal rhythm within a minute or so of his arrest and that made all the difference from our perspective.鈥
The LAFD responds to more than 8,000 calls every week, most of which are medical-related. As the Department continues to be a national leader in saving lives, it has also looked for ways to make better use of technology. In March, the , partnering with the organization and its free app that alerts users to nearby cardiac events to ensure Angelenos have another crucial tool at their fingertips to help save lives.
